As the school year draws to a close, many members of the Oberlin community pack their bags and say goodbye to our corner of Ohio. In this issue, the Review sits down with Visiting Professor of Creative Writing Charles Wyatt to get his perspective on what his one-year snapshot of life at Oberlin has been like. Wyatt, a published author of fiction, taught prose/poetry workshops and a nonfiction workshop to students this year.

What brought you here to Oberlin as a visiting professor?
I saw an advertisement for a visiting fiction writer in an academic journal, so I applied. I almost came to Oberlin myself when I graduated from high school, and I have friends who teach here.

When you arrived at Oberlin at the beginning of the school year, what were your first impressions?
I didn’t expect it to be so hot in August, but I really liked my apartment on Elm Street — from my window I can watch interesting folks passing by, mostly on bicycles. From the very beginning week, I’ve been watching an elderly gentleman ride by every morning with a Scottie dog on a leash. I don’t know who he is. He rides slowly but often has to stop so the dog can keep up. I saw him this morning when I was loading books into my car, and almost introduced myself — but then I decided I’d rather have him remain a mystery, the genie of Elm Street.

Now, as you’re getting ready to leave, have your impressions changed very much?
I had expected spring to come sooner.

I know your son went here years ago. How has this place changed since you were last here, and how different is it to be an actual member of the Oberlin community and not just the father of an Obie?
Actually my son graduated last spring. Teaching here is actually a very similar experience to being the parent of a single Obie — I just feel like I have a lot more children. I don’t mean that in the pejorative sense.

Do you think that knowing you only have a short time here has shaped your attitude towards Oberlin and impacted what you got out of your experiences here?
I think the Oberlin experience is intense, so intense that I don’t have time to think about the fact that I’ll be somewhere else this time next year. You are going to be here for four years and they will go so quickly, you won’t believe it.

What about Oberlin, or living in Oberlin, have you disliked?
This isn’t precisely an Oberlin lowlight, but it’s close. I went home for the weekend two and a half weeks ago and stored my winter coat. Then I got caught in a white-out blizzard on my way back from Nashville. I had been mowing the lawn, for heaven’s sake.

On that note, what was your favorite Oberlin moment from the past year, or your favorite thing about living in Oberlin?
One highlight was when my colleague Martha Collins and I both learned we were having books published in the same week. Mostly I’d have to say I’ve been impressed by the students. I know the teachers here love the students and now I can see why. Oh, and walking by Harkness on my way to and from my office every day has always been a quintessential Oberlin experience.